The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-16
LEVELED BY A WIND-STORM
Enormous Destruction of Farm and 9th
er Property in Southeastern Ohio.
Houses, Barns and Other Structures Blown
to the Earth and the Air Filled with Fly
ing pebris-Several Persons Injured.


uine cyclone ever witnessed in this vicinity was
experienced this afternoon. and wrought de-
vastation over section of country extending
from ST. Calrsvle. O.. ten miles west, to
point as far east as this city. Little damage
was done here, the high hills on both sides of
the river shelterne the houses, but the commo-
ton in the upper air was noticed, and few
roofs were damaged. The storm was first felt
at St Clairsville, at 315 P. NJ 1t appeared to
be travelling from the west. and in the shape OF
a funnel-shaped mass of cloud, resembling in
appearance dense black smoke. The cone
was downward, and could be plainly traced
over its track by the destruction it left. Houses
were demolished, trees snapped off like pipe
stems horses and cattle Frustrated and carried
bodily hundreds of yards by the gale, and the
sky was darkened with the clouds of flying debris.
The storm and its effects showed all the disti.'
gushing characteristics of the Western cyclone.
1t first struck two new brick houses belonging
to Colonel Patton and Judge Cochran west of
town, and frame house belonging to man
named Coleman. All three were completely de-
molshed and the furniture and portion of the
roof and walls scattered along the track Of the
cyclone clear to the end of the town, mile
distant A large mansion on the corner of
Marietta and Main streets was cut off clean at
the second floor, and the walls and roof scat
tered in fragments. The First National
Bank block and c. 7. Rail- & Sons dry goods
store were almost swept from their Sites only
portion of the lower walls being left standing.
The dwellings and business blocks of /. Fl. Pat
terson, druggist; G. E. Epson, grocer, and Jas.
Patterson, dry goods, had the upper walls and
roofs swept off and the lower part Of the houses
bnllr I'd hv.f a1t Gxra1 ,hA.x
The National Hotel. Mrs. Evanss large brick
residence, and probably forty other houses were
less seriously damaged. No casualties to per-
sons are reported, the funnel-shaped cloud hav-
ing been seen approaching in time for the fami-
lies to take refuge in cellars. BENZ. Parkhurst's
fine old brick mansion south of town, was to-
tally demolished. likewise the United Presby
terrain Church. large brick edifce The loss
Western Union lines and poles are all
down. Horses hitched in the street
were blown about like chaff. and the vehicles
demolished A scantling sailed through the air
for mile and cut as clean hole in the two
walls of a,brick house as cannon bail would
Shingles were driven through Notwithstanding
like arrows. James F. Anderson. of Bellaire.
had Just hitched buggy in tho street when some
one shouted a warning to him. He clutched
telegraph pole, which snapped off just above his
head Hon. l.. Danford sitting in his law
Office when an entire chimney crashed through
the ceiling and floor leaving him unframed.
eled to the ground. At Pasco, five miles west of
this CITY, on the National road, the brick house
of A. Hinkle was demolished, and Hinkle badly
hurt Large tracts of wood between here and
St Clarsvlle have not tree uninjured while
most of them are fat on the ground
The town of Bridgeport just across the river.
escaped, as did Weheeling, but funeral was in
the cemetery on the hill top at the time and the
carriages were blown over and carried against
trees, tombstoues swapping off as they blew over
them.
Martins Ferry, on the opposite side of the
river at the north end of town, suffered even
more severely than ST. Clairsvills. Here broad
valley gave direction to the destroying gale.
which licked up forests and farm houses, and
scattered fences in its path down the hollow.
widening out as it struck the little city and scat
works had one brick building blown down on the
hill. and the brick residence of j. HI. Bremen,
editor of the News was SO badly used up
that not one brick was left on another.
was leveled to the ground. Henry Hellings
eight houses. barns and sheds were all
destroyed In the town proper seventy five to
100 houses were more or less damaged, and the
loss will reach $4,000 Walnut Grove, a fine
park has but few of its 300 lofty trees standing
The city cemetery, adjoining, similarly IN
| fortunate. The stove foundry partially de-
| molished. james, r. Reilley's house and saloon
| was blown down; Mrs. Kelley was pulled uncon-
scious from the ruins, and may die. The storm
| struck the town at P. NJ without warning. and
| it is wonderful that more injury to life was not
| done. Besides Mrs. Kelley the only casualties
| reported James Kelley, her husband, a
| saloon keeper, both legs broken; Mrs. Wilhert,
collar bone broken. Mr. Davis, of the Martins
| ferry stove works, was probably fatally injured.
| German lady, whose name could not be
learned was dangerously injured
| When the storm struck the river the water
| shot up in wall about twenty feet, and then
fell back in froth and seething foam. and stimuli
taneously shower of fence boards, shingles
posts and timbers, with some large sections OF
houses, fell in a sheet on the turbulent waters.
The river for miles is strewn with wreckage.
The Farview dollhouse, one mile west, was
totally wrecked. and Miss White, the school
! dered homeless The Lafayette Rink was en-
| gagged by the city authorities as temporary
shelter for the homeless, and meeting of citi
zens is called for ] P. NJ. to morrow to devise
measures of relief. Every few minutes news
comes of additional damages in the country, and
| it is safe to say that the aggregate loss will ex
| coed million of dollars.
Great Storm on the Newfoundland Coast
ST. JOHNS, N. F., April ia terrific gale
| ragged along the west coast of this island al
| Wednesday, causing serious loss of life ant
great destruction of property. Near Rose
Blanche two large skiffs went down at thei
moorines and five men were drowned. Anotbe,
ran ashore about the same place and was dashed
| to pieces. The crew were saved with much diff
| fculty. Grave fears entertained for the
| safety of four schooners and large boat. They
| were out in the gale and have not been hearC
from since.
| Lucky Discovery for Chicago.